Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Jean-Baptiste Colbert (29 August 1619-6 September 1683) was Controller-General of Finances of France from 4 May 1661 to 6 September 1683, succeeding Nicolas Fouquet and preceding Claude Le Peletier. Colbert served under King Louis XIV of France, and he oversaw the improvement of French manufacturing and a recovery from bankruptcy.

Biography
Jean-Baptiste Colbert was born in Reims, France on 29 August 1619, and he became a troop inspector and the personal secretary to Secretary of War Michel le Tellier. In 1657, he purchased the Barony of Seignelay, and Cardinal Mazarin recommended Colbert's services to King Louis XIV of France. From 1665 to 1683, Colbert served as Controller-General of Finances under King Louis XIV, and he founded Saint-Gobain in 1665 to supplant the importation of Venetian glass and to promote French manufacturing, founded royal tapestry works at Gobelins and supported those at Beauvais, raised tariffs and encouraged major public works projects, founded the French merchant marine, supported the French East India Company, issued 150 edicts to regulate guilds, and created a favorable balance of trade. While France became increasingly impoverished due to King Louis' constant wars, Colbert prevented France from being completely bankrupt.